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Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020

Thursday, 16 July 2020

Ceisteanna (128)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

128. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the returns of a person (details supplied) will be reassessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16364/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

From the 29/06/2020 the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) which a person receives depends on their gross weekly employment earnings. As a consequence of its flat rate structure a number of people, mainly low-hours workers, receive a higher State income support than they received in employment income. It is important that the integrity of the social welfare system is maintained and that income support paid is considered to be fair and equitable. In this regard it would not be tenable that some people, albeit a minority of people, receive a much higher payment on PUP than they did from part-time employment and that they would receive the same amount as another person who worked full-time on a higher income. The changes introduced recently seek to address this issue in a balanced way.

No person on the lower rate of payment will receive less on PUP than they were previously paid by their employer as a result of the changes.

For self-employed persons – the last year for which complete data is available is 2018. This is the year which was used for the purposes of reviewing the PUP rate. Where no earnings data was available, in respect of either an employee or a self-employed person, the rate of PUP was reduced to €203 per week.

Where a customer contends that these earnings are inaccurate, they should supply documentation to support this. However, it is important to note that this Department will only accept earnings which have been notified to Revenue and subject to PRSI. Customers should clearly understand that any information which is supplied to declare additional earnings will be matched against Revenue records and that all cases of undisclosed or unreported income will be examined for follow up control action.

According to the records of this Department the returns for the person concerned for 2018 reflect 52 S class contributions and a recorded income of €9,718. This equates to average weekly income of €186.88. Therefore a revised weekly PUP rate of €203 is applicable with effect from 26/06/2020. If this is incorrect or if the person concerned wishes to pursue a review of his revised weekly PUP payment, it is open to him to contact the Department as outlined below.

Requests for a review of earnings should be emailed to PUPRerate@welfare.ie. The person concerned should attach all supporting employment documentation in support of his review request to this email.

Alternatively, the person concerned can write to PUP Rerate Requests, DEASP, Intreo Centre, Cork Road, Waterford, again making sure to include all supporting documentation.

His case can then be examined and any necessary follow up action taken.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Barr
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